Land of the Sky United Church of Christ is a Just Peace Church

We at Land of the Sky United Church of Christ declare ourselves to be a Just Peace Church, embracing our mission to live justly, love abundantly, and walk humbly in the ways of Jesus. We go beyond grieving over injustice and seek outlets for putting faith into action. 

We define Just Peace as the interrelationship of friendship, justice, and lack of violence for all people—beginning with ourselves, our church, our community, our country and reaching into the larger world.  

Recognizing our imperfections, we seek peace: the weaving together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, wholeness, and well-being. We value honest, open, and nonviolent conflict and pledge to work through conflict toward changed perception and resolution.  We bear the responsibility to end poverty, militarism and imperialism.  Peace means universal flourishing, wellness, and joyful wonder. 

We believe that Just Peace is possible and affirm that we are a community of hope, acknowledging that hope is the energy that creates our courage to work for peace and justice through the teachings of Jesus and our covenant with God. We are also a community of worship and celebration, of spiritual nurture and support. We are a community that stands in solidarity with the disadvantaged and marginalized, putting ourselves and our voices in places of oppression, poverty, and violence, standing with those whose voices are not heard.

We believe that extending and promoting peace is at the heart of our Christian faith and of the gospel of Jesus. We seek to be faithful to God’s call to be peacemakers and seek to engage all of the world’s peace-loving religions in advocating for peace and justice for all of humanity and for the planet at large.

Our commitment to action for peace includes support and advocacy for:

-  prison ministry                                                                                                               

- the Sanctuary Movement
-  historically oppressed and marginalized groups including but not limited to African Americans, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples
-  the environment and just economics
-  other ministries involved with anti-colonialism, the aging, diverse abilities, and prevention of domestic violence
-  educational programs for all ages on the topics of white privilege and white supremacy; and non-violent conflict resolution
-  opportunities for artistic expression that teach and encourage growth in understanding relationships

We realize that this list is ever-changing, fluid and not just defined as this particular list.  The Justice Team accepts responsibility for bringing issues and information before the membership in ways which educate, invite participation and suggest how individuals and/or groups might become involved in witness and action.

We believe we should put our bodies where our beliefs are and promise to encourage one another gently, to pray for one another regularly, and to challenge one another lovingly as we struggle to understand our place in the journey and our need for strength and wisdom in dispelling ignorance, fear, and hatred. We choose love rather than blame as we discern our calls, both individually and as a community, for Just Peace for all of creation.  

Upon the yearly anniversary of this statement, we will celebrate and renew our commitment to be a Just Peace Church. 

-adopted by the congregation on October 29, 2017